Joplin vs SiYuan: Which to Self-Host?
Quick Verdict
Joplin is the better choice if you prioritize end-to-end encryption, Markdown compatibility, and a battle-tested sync system. SiYuan is better if you want block-based editing with bidirectional links and graph views. Both are personal note systems — the choice comes down to Markdown versus blocks.
Overview
Joplin Server is the sync backend for the Joplin note-taking application. Joplin clients (desktop, mobile, terminal) sync notes through the server. All editing happens in client apps. The server stores encrypted blobs when E2EE is enabled.
SiYuan is a block-based note application that uses a custom .sy JSON format. It offers a web UI served from Docker, plus desktop and mobile clients. Notes are organized in a notebook hierarchy with bidirectional links, block references, and a graph view.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Joplin (Server + Clients) | SiYuan |
|---|---|---|
| Data format | Markdown (.md) | Custom .sy JSON |
| Editor | Desktop app (Markdown) | Block-based WYSIWYG |
| E2E encryption | Yes (client-side) | No (server-side encryption only) |
| Bidirectional links | Via plugin | Native |
| Block references | No | Yes |
| Graph view | No | Yes |
| Web clipper | Yes (browser extension) | Yes |
| Desktop app | Yes (Electron, cross-platform) | Yes (Electron) |
| Mobile app | Yes (iOS, Android) | Yes (iOS, Android) |
| Terminal client | Yes | No |
| Plugins | 300+ community plugins | Limited extension system |
| Docker services | 2 (server + PostgreSQL) | 1 (single container) |
| RAM usage | 150–300 MB | 200–400 MB |
| Sync options | Joplin Server, S3, WebDAV, Dropbox | S3, WebDAV, SiYuan Cloud |
| Export | Markdown, JEX, HTML, PDF | Markdown, PDF, HTML, DOCX |
| Search | Full-text (client-side) | Full-text + SQL queries |
Installation Complexity
Joplin Server needs two containers (server + PostgreSQL). Configure APP_BASE_URL and database URL. Default admin credentials are admin@localhost / admin — change immediately. Then configure each Joplin client to sync with the server URL.
SiYuan needs one container with one volume. Set --accessAuthCode for authentication. Access the web UI directly. Desktop clients connect for sync via S3 or WebDAV — SiYuan doesn’t have its own sync protocol (beyond the paid SiYuan Cloud).
Joplin Server is slightly more complex to deploy but offers seamless multi-device sync. SiYuan deploys faster but requires separate sync configuration (S3 or WebDAV) for multi-device use.
Performance and Resource Usage
Both are lightweight. Joplin Server + PostgreSQL uses 150–300 MB. SiYuan uses 200–400 MB in a single container. Neither is demanding.
Storage differs: Joplin stores notes as individual Markdown files (via sync blobs). SiYuan stores everything in .sy JSON files. Large vaults with many attachments consume similar amounts of storage on both platforms.
Community and Support
Joplin has a massive community — 50k+ GitHub stars, 300+ plugins, active forum, and consistent development. Documentation is excellent. The project is one of the most popular open-source note apps.
SiYuan has a growing community, primarily Chinese-speaking. English documentation exists but is thinner. Development pace is fast with frequent releases. The paid SiYuan Cloud service funds ongoing development.
Use Cases
Choose Joplin If…
- End-to-end encryption is a requirement
- You want Markdown as the native format (portability)
- You value a rich plugin ecosystem
- You need a terminal client
- You want the largest community and best documentation
Choose SiYuan If…
- You want block-based editing with block references
- Bidirectional links and graph views are important
- You prefer WYSIWYG over Markdown source editing
- You want a single-container deployment
- You value fast, modern UI design
Final Verdict
Joplin is the mature, battle-tested choice with the best encryption story and a massive plugin ecosystem. If you value Markdown portability and don’t want vendor lock-in, Joplin is the safe bet.
SiYuan is the more modern, visually polished option with features (block references, graph views) that Joplin doesn’t match. The trade-off is a proprietary data format and a smaller community.
For most users, Joplin’s encryption, Markdown compatibility, and plugin ecosystem make it the better long-term choice. If block-based editing is your must-have, SiYuan delivers.
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